Name/Title
Shelby, Joseph O, Confederate General in Missouri, Photo, c. 1870Entry/Object ID
P1995.1H.385Description
Shelby, Joseph O, Confederate General in Missouri, Photo, c. 1870. b/w. Photo of engraving of Shelby in business suit. Man with dark hair, center part, beard/mustache, wearing tweed jacket.
Before the Civil War, Shelby owned a hemp plantation in Missouri and with other things was one of the wealthiest men in the State. Shelby was involved in trying to influence the election in Kansas in 1855 although he lived in Waverly, MO. He led a group of Border Ruffians from Waverly. He formed a Missouri State Guard Group and a cavalry unit in Lafayette County, MO which later fought for the Confederacy at Carthage Mo, and Pea Ridge, Ark. His cavalry unit conducted the "Iron Brigade" a raid of 1500 miles through Missouri in 1863. His unit was involved in the battles of the Little Blue and Westport. Considered a hero by many a Missouri southern sympathizer.
Rather than surrender Shelby & his unit went to Mexico to offer their services to Emperor Maximilian. Declined he returned to farming in Missouri, testified at Frank James trial in 1883, served as Western Missouri District U.S. Marshall, and died of pneumonia at Adrian, MO in 1897 and is buried in Kansas City.
Original digital scan located on History CD 05.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
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Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Civil warsSearch Terms
Civil War in Missouri, Confederate Army, Confederate Army in MissouriRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
O. Joseph Shelby